Wirral Archers are committed to safeguarding all members, including children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We are proud to provide a respectful, welcoming, and inclusive environment where everyone can enjoy archery safely. We expect all members to treat each other with respect and to look out for the welfare of others.
If you ever feel uncomfortable, see behaviour that concerns you, or have any worries about safety or wellbeing, we encourage you to speak up. You can share your concern in confidence with Nathan Coward, our Club Safeguarding Officer, or with Karen Hamer, our Club Chair. All reports will be treated sensitively, taken seriously, and dealt with in line with Archery GB safeguarding procedures. Our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our members.
If you would prefer to raise a concern outside the club, you can also contact Archery GB’s safeguarding team directly via their “Report a Concern” service, or reach out to the NSPCC (0808 800 5000), Childline (0800 1111), or Age UK (0800 678 1602) for independent advice and support.
Safeguarding Team
The Wirral Archers Safeguarding team are:
| Name | Mobile | |
| Nathan Coward | 07427688990 | safeguarding@wirralarchers.com |
| Karen Hamer | 07914803203 | chair@wirralarchers.com |
Useful links
Report a Concern
The reporting a concern link is for all safeguarding concerns, for example, discrimination, child protection, or any concern at all that a member may be at risk.
Archery GB safeguarding information, including safeguarding of children, young people and vulnerable adults
https://archerygb.org/files/code-of-conduct-210723114601.pdf
Incident form
This form is used for everything that is not safeguarding related, such as, an accident, where follow up action is required. The accident book should also be used and a copy of the incident form can be filed in there.
Safeguarding FAQs
Can an adult member befriend a junior on social media?
If you are in a position of trust, for example, a coach, safeguarding officer, chair or member of the committee, then no you cannot.
If you are not in a position of trust, you must have the written permission of the junior and their parent or guardian. We prefer that juniors are not befriended by adult members on social media, for the protection of all.
Who can coach a junior?
Only WA coaches can coach a junior, they have been DBS checked and have child protection training. A parent or guardian must be actively present, a junior should never be alone with an adult member, whether a coach or not.
Who can coach a senior?
Any WA coach and experienced archers can coach a senior. Sole coaching is not permitted, this means that another archer must be present. This is because coaches are in a position of trust and we need to protect both themselves and archers being coached. Coaching must be requested, it is not appropriate to offer unsolicited advice, as this could cause confidence issues, and the archer may already be working on a technique and the advice could cause conflict.
Can I take photographs at the range?
Always ask for permission before filming or photographing an archer. If the archer is a junior, you must also have the parent/guardian’s permission.
Can you coach/shoot after drinking alcohol?
No. This would be dangerous. If you think someone is under the influence, (smell alcohol, erratic behaviour) you must report this to safeguarding immediately. The Field Captain must be alerted, as shooting must cease until this is resolved.
Below are some useful links
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person
Support for young people and their parents
https://www.childnet.com/young-people/
Support, guidance and advice on a wide range of online safety issues and topics for children, young people and parents
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/
Navigating mental health services can be hard, especially when you are unwell. We have information about the different types of support available. For young people and their parents
The Liverpool Light is an out-of-hours mental health crisis service for individuals aged 18+, open from 6pm-1am, 7 days a week. It has been set up to provide a safe place for people experiencing a mental health crisis to come and begin their recovery.
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Available 24/7. If you need someone to talk to, we listen, we won’t judge or tell you what to do. Available to children, young people, adults.
Mental health support for men across Merseyside
http://www.wirralpathfinders.org.uk/
A mental health self-help support group, with the aim to help support themselves and to learn to cope with their mental health difficulties.
https://www.ypas.org.uk/
Mental health and wellbeing support for ages 5-25 and their families